Personal Highlights:
Taking an evening walk with your personal guide on Rustaveli Avenue in Tblisi
The tasting of rare wines in the wine cellar of a classic Georgian Restaurant
Learning the technique of making boiled red beans with Georgian spices in Shrosha
Wine tasting and cooking Khinkali

Your Tour

Taking an evening walk with your personal guide on Rustaveli Avenue in Tblisi

The tasting of rare wines in the wine cellar of a classic Georgian Restaurant

Learning the technique of making boiled red beans with Georgian spices in Shrosha

Wine tasting and cooking Khinkali and Khachapuri with local hosts in the village of Kutaisa

A traditional Georgian Dinner, hosted by a “ Tamada” or toastmaster accompanied by many toasts of wines from the Kvavreli vineyards, Georgia’s finest

Day 1 Depart USA

You board your flight and settle into your Business Class seat and enjoy a fine meal and a good night's sleep as you make your way to Tbilisi the Capital of the Republic of Georgia and the start of your culinary adventure.

Day 2 Welcome to Tbilisi

Upon arrival in Tbilisi you are met by your personal guide who will escort you to the car for the trip to your deluxe hotel located near the old town and overlooking the Mtkvari River. You have a chance to relax at the pool or explore the surrounding area. This evening dinner is at the hotel and if the weather is pleasant, why not dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the city?

Day 3 Walking and Tasting in Tbilisi

After breakfast you are able to take advantage of the hotel's location as your guide takes you on a walking tour of the old town which dates back to the 5th Century. You will visit the Metkhi Church, Narikala Fortress, dating back to the 4th Century and Sioni Cathedral. You will also visit the sulfur baths known for their curative powers. You will then visit one of our favorite Georgian restaurants and visit their wine cellar where you will be introduced to fine Georgian wines. You will have lunch and then proceed to the Georgian State Museum. After a chance to rest at your hotel you will be met by your guide who will take you on an evening walk on Rustaveli Avenue one of Tbilisi's most fashionable streets. You will then have a welcome dinner at a traditional Georgian Restaurant.

Day 4 World Heritage Sites and the Secret to Making Khinkali

You will start your day with a trip to Mtskheta, the 3,000 year old ancient capital and religious center of Georgia. You will visit Jvari monastery which was built in the 6th Century and is an excellent example of Georgian medieval architecture. You will then visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral which dates from the 11th Century and is reputed to be where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. On part the trip you will you will be on the Georgia Military Highway which crosses the Jvari Pass at 7,000 feet considered to be the border between Europe and Asia. You will stop for lunch at a dumpling restaurant where you participate in the preparation of Khinkali or meat dumplings. There are variations on the ingredients depending if you are from the mountains. In addition to meat, the dumplings will have cheese, cottage cheese, mushrooms, sour cream and garlic. Returning to Tbilisi you have a chance to relax before enjoying yet another restaurant.

Day 5 Cooking Tips in Shrosha and Kutaisi

You will depart your hotel with an overnight bag (which we thoughtfully provide) since you will be spending the night at a guesthouse in Kutaisi where you will explore things culinary. With your guide you will head west stopping first at the village of Shrosha famous for its basket market. While there you will stop for a lesson in the making of Lobio a classic Georgian appetizer. While sipping Georgian wine you see how the local women boil the red beans until tender and then allow to cool. Some of the beans are mashed and others left whole. Spices are added and the result is topped with chopped walnuts. After sampling some you adjourn to another restaurant for lunch. You then arrive at a guesthouse in Kutaisi where, in addition to sampling Georgian wine you get a lecture on the making of Kachapuri which, in this part of Georgia involves a pie made with cheese, and other combinations. After the meal you retire to your clean and comfortable room.

Day 6 The Birthplace of Stalin

After a Georgian Country breakfast your guide will pick you up at the guesthouse for the return trip to Tbilisi. Your fist visit will be to the Gelati Academy and Monastery complex built in the 12th Century and one of the earliest academies in Europe. You will then visit the ancient city of Uplistsikhe which was located on the Great Silk Road to and from China. Close to the town of Gori you will stop at the birthplace of Stalin and the local museum dedicated too his life. After lunch at a nearby restaurant you return to Tbilisi and your hotel. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Day 7 The Heart of the Georgian Wine Country

Today you will head to the East of Georgia, to Kakheti province, a rich fertile region with vineyards and wine-producing villages. The first stop will be Signagi, a fortified Royal city that sat on the major trade routes between East and West. You will have lunch at a local family home before visiting Tsinandali Estate founded by Alexander Chavchadze in the 19th Century and the first winery in Georgia. You then arrive in the scenic town of Telavi. Tonight you will visit a local family Marani which is a traditional storage area for locally produced wine. You will participate in a multi=course Georgian dinner lead by a Tamada or toastmaster. You will have many toasts and enjoy superior Kakhetian wine including the Napareuli, Kindzmarauli and Mukuzani labels. You will overnight at a local guesthouse in Telavi.

Day 8 The Kvavreli Vineyards and a Georgian Farewell

You start your day with a tour of the Shuamta monastery dating to the 6th Century. You then drive to the Kvavreli region where you visit several vineyards and tasting their wines. After lunch at a local restaurant you return to Tbilisi and your hotel where you have a chance to relax and perhaps take a dip in the pool. You may also opt to do some shopping. In the evening your guide will return to take you to one of our favorite restaurants where you enjoy food and wine accompanied by traditional Georgian songs and dancing.

Day 9 : Return to USA

After breakfast, your car will be at the hotel to take you to the airport for the return flight to the US where you arrive later the same day.

Tour Location / Places Visiteds

Additional Pricing Information

Services Included

1st Class rail travel as indicated on the itinerary

Superior Rooms at the properties indicated in the accommodations area (We reserve the right to substitute a property of equal quality in advance of departure should the designated hotel be unavailable)

Private Transfers to and from the airport or rail station at destination

All meals as indicated on the itinerary by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner

Private guides for city explorations and private driver/guide while traveling.

Entrance fees to all museums, attractions and other venues as indicated on the daily itinerary

Baggage handling at all hotels

All applicable taxes and service fees

Services Not Included

International airfare (round-trip from hometown departure gateway to destination)

Beverages with included meals (unless otherwise indicated on itinerary page)